I Heart Edmonton

Christian Hansen's "Please Don't Do That" (2013) From his album C'mon Arizona , here's the clip for Edmonton's own Christian Hansen 's "Please Don't Do That." Directed by Mike McLaughlin.

Edmonton author Marty Chan explores an alternate New York in which illusionist Harry Houdini sets upon historic adventures in search of his lost brother in the first book of The Ehrich Weisz Chronicle s. BY PAULA E. KIRMAN A strange portal that leads to an alternate New York. A cast of characters from different dimensions and parts of history. A young Harry Houdini at the centre of the story. Marty Chan's 'The Ehrich Weisz Chronicles: Demon Gate' (2013) These are three major elements of Marty Chan 's new novel, The Ehrich Weisz Chronicles: Demon Gate (Fitzhenry & Whiteside). Ehrich Weisz is the aforementioned future illusionist Harry Houdini as a teenager, who follows his brother, Dash, through a mysterious portal. The version of New York where he ends up is full of immigrants from different dimensions in addition to being from different parts of the world. They include Nicola Tesla and Thomas Edison, amongst others.  Ehrich's main goal is ...

There aren't many more folks in Alberta who have been as active in almost every aspect of our province than Michael Phair, one of the first openly gay politicians in Canada, which is why we needed much more than just a few minutes with him... BY EMIL TIEDEMANN It was only a few seconds after Michael Phair walked into the Roast Coffeehouse in downtown Edmonton that he had spotted someone he knew. A few people actually, including Ward 6 Councillor Scott McKeen . I certainly wasn't surprised, knowing Phair is a well-connected Edmontonian who's involved or has been involved in countless groups and organizations throughout the city, and for many years now. Michael Phair is currently an adjunct professor and education facilitator with  iSMSS  (Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services). But most folks around here know Michael Phair most as an advocate for the LGBTQ community , a hat he's been wearing since the '80s, when being openly gay in Alberta and in ...

What would Global News anchor Carole Anne Devaney want to read, listen to, or watch if she were stranded on a deserted island?  BY EMIL TIEDEMANN Since she was 17 in English class, Ottawa-born Carole Anne Devaney knew she wanted to be in journalism. W hen Lynda Steele announced that she was leaving Global Edmonton in 2010 to move to Vancouver, we were devastated. Okay, maybe we weren't devastated , but there was no doubt whoever was to take her place had some big shoes to fill. But, by the end of 2011, Ottawa's Carole Anne Devaney took over as Gord Steinke 's co-anchor of Global's News Hour , and it was as though she had always been there. "This is such a perfect fit for me," Devaney said when she accepted the job. "The position really plays to my strengths and skills." Devaney--who speaks three languages btw--graduated from Ottawa's Carleton University School of Journalism, and is the winner of an RTNDA Canada Award for her work on ...

Together, the existing and proposed LRT lines will connect Edmonton on all sides, establishing a public transit system other cities will be envious of BY EMIL TIEDEMANN Edmonton's LRT system began operating in April 1978. Construction began in 1974 and cost $65 million. A S the city grows, so must our public transit system . That's just obvious. But even with that in mind, I'm still in awe of what City Council has in store for Edmonton when it comes to our low-floor, community-integrated LRT expansion plan .  The long-term LRT Network Plan was initiated by the city in June 2009, spearheaded by our new Mayor (and then City Councillor) Don Iveson . Since then we've seen five brand new stations on the LRT line: Health Sciences/ Jubilee , McKernan/ Belgravia , South Campus/ Fort Edmonton Park , Southgate , and Century Park , all of which were completed by 2010.  In addition to those and the pre-existing 10 stations ( Clareview to University ), there are three...

Edmonton resident Lynn Coady's Hellgoing becomes only the fourth short story collection to receive the Scotiabank Giller Prize, Canada's most prestigious award for fiction Lynn Coady's Hellgoing wins the 2013 Scotiabank Giller Prize. BY EMIL TIEDEMANN T HE Scotiabank Giller Prize is Canada's most sought-after and prestigious honour in literary fiction, with a cash prize of $50,000 for the year's top entry. Last week (Nov. 5), Edmonton's own Lynn Coady , 43, joined the ranks of Alice Munro and Margaret Atwood by capturing the 2013 Giller for her collection of short stories, Hellgoing (published by House of Anansi). "I think probably the only way for me to keep it together is just to read from this page," an excited and nervous Coady said in her acceptance speech at Toronto's Ritz-Carlton. "So I'm gonna hold on to these papers for dear life. "This is shocking and overwhelming," she continued. "I don't eve...

In honour of brave soldiers throughout Canada and around the world, Edmontonians will take the time to remember their sacrifices for our future BY EMIL TIEDEMANN Remembrance Day is Monday, November 11. E DMONTON'S always had a prolific military history, and even today remains an important branch of the Canadian military, as headquarters of the 3rd Canadian Division.  Part of that Division is Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), one of the three Regular Force Infantry regiments of the Canadian Army. Next August it will celebrate 100 years since The Charter of the Regiment was signed and recruiting began.  Earlier this year, on June 7, Edmonton's CFB (Canadian Forces base) became the first Canadian military base to raise a rainbow flag in support of Edmonton Pride. The move was groundbreaking and represented the CFB's acceptance of all its soldiers.  So, to pay our respect to those soldiers past and present, below we've listed all the ...

Unlike other urban regions in Canada, Edmonton lacks a gay district that could allow our city to truly take pride in acceptance and equality BY EMIL TIEDEMANN " W HAT if they stabbed me?" asked Chevi Rabbit after he was attacked in public by a group of men last year near the U of A campus, on his way to the local grocery store. "What if they had a knife or something?" The University student was targeted simply because he's gay, apparent when the young men began yelling homophobic slurs at Rabbit, who has since become somewhat of a voice for the rights and equality of Edmonton's LGBTQ+ community. The Castro District in San Francisco is the most prominent and one of the first gay neighbourhoods in the United States, established during the 1960s and '70s. Fortunately, Rabbit was not seriously injured during the July 2012 incident, though it certainly affected how safe he feels in his own neighbourhood. How could you blame him! This is no...

Although we're far off from competing with the intimidating skylines of Toronto and New York, Edmonton's own cityscape is seeking a new look, thanks much in part to a proposed high rise that would dominate the downtown BY EMIL TIEDEMANN The proposed Edmontonian tower would be the tallest building in Western Canada, and second in the country. I F you take the spires and flagpoles into account, the 2-year-old Epcor Tower (10180-101 Street) is currently the tallest building in Edmonton, rising 149.3 metres (490 feet) above the city streets. That's only three metres (11 feet) higher than Manulife Place , which reigned supreme since it was completed in 1983.  The 28-floor Epcor Tower is also Edmonton's first downtown high rise in 22 years! I recently went atop the Tower to snap some photos of Edmonton's downtown skyline, and was impressed with the unique vantage point.  But, if all goes as planned, the view will be peanuts compared to what's on the way...